Following the election of Jeremy Corbyn as Leader of the Labour Party, Paul Blagbrough has resigned as Chair of Woking CLP and from the Executive Committee. We are very sorry at this course of events. Paul’s contribution to the Labour Party spanning a period of nearly 50 years has been immense: as Chair of Woking CLP in the 1970s, 1980s and since 2010; as a former councillor and Labour Mayor of Woking; and as Finance Director of the Labour Party, serving both John Smith and Tony Blair. Paul will continue to work closely for the local party, but not in a position in which, as he states, he would feel obliged to offer support and loyalty to the new leadership.
We are pleased to announce that Barry Faulkner, who has been an activist for several years within both the party and the trade union movement, has been appointed acting Chair of Woking CLP until the AGM next year.

Unfortunate in Goldsworth

Despite the best efforts of our tireless candidates Jay Butcher and Robina Shaheen and their campaign teams, the by-elections on October 8 did not go our way, and the vacant seats in the wards of Goldsworth East and Goldsworth West were captured once again by the Con-LibDem duopoly. Still, there’s always another chance next year!

Our grateful and sincere thanks go to both candidates for their energy and dedication, to all those delivering leaflets, the printing team and tellers.

We have received a fantastic response since the May General Election, with local membership nearly doubling from 200 to almost 400 including 60 who have joined since the election of Jeremy Corbyn as Leader.

In the last few weeks we have been contacting as many new members and supporters as possible to invite them to a New Members Evening on Wednesday 18th November. If you are one, and we didn't call you personally, sorry - as you might imagine, our resources are limited - and you're still very welcome! More details on our website.

Dates for your diary

All at Owen House unless otherwise shown.

October 21st (Wednesday), 7.30pm
Executive Committee.

October 25th (Sunday), 3pm, Education Centre, Guildford Cathedral GU2 7UP
Dr Kostis Karpozilos, Stavros Niarchos Post-Doctoral Fellow at Columbia University USA, gives this month's Fabian Society talk at an important time in the history of the Labour Party as the party seeks to develop its anti-austerity narrative. What lessons should the Labour Party learn from the Greek example and what role should the broader British Left be playing in this debate?

November 18th (Wednesday), 7pm, Owen House
New Members Evening at Owen House for members and supporters. See article on our website.

November 25th (Wednesday), 7.30pm
Executive Committee.

November 28th (Saturday), 10.30am-1.00pm
Kevin Hurley, Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner, will give an update and an overview of policing in Surrey and answer any questions.

Wednesday December 2nd, 11am-1pm
Women’s Forum - A bi-monthly all-female unique multi-lingual event with an invited speaker, where we talk in English, Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi about issues of social and national interest. Open to Labour supporters and also to those who are not at all sure what or whom they support! Just a forum for discussion and no obligation put upon you at all. We include a regular half-hour showcase given by a woman on a local business initiative and have home-made items and food for sale. Queries to Robina on 07855 027723 or Ambreen on 07794 833380.

January 13th (Wednesday), 7.30pm
Executive Committee.

February 10th (Wednesday), 7.30pm
AGM with speaker and a short Executive Committee meeting.